Aerial search planned for missing man near Scotts Valley

SCOTTS VALLEY -- ﻿The Santa Cruz County Search and Rescue team began looking Monday morning for Alex Fossgreen, a 23-year-old man reported missing from his home near Scotts Valley.

Deputies said Fossgreen walked away from his home on Lockwood Lane off Graham Hill Road about 4 a.m. Friday. He recently broke up with his fiancee, his family said.

Fossgreen apparently took a backpack, clothing, his passport and driver's license, deputies said. He did not take a cellphone, said deputy April Skalland.

The search and rescue team concentrated near his home, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and near Quarry Road -- where he has been known to hike. A hiker told authorities that someone who appeared similar to Fossgreen was spotted in Fall Creek State Park, so authorities searched there as well.

Fossgreen also might have been spotted near Empire Grade Road on Saturday, according to deputies. The Search and Rescue team plans to search there Tuesday, Skalland said.

Deputies also plan to use a Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office plane to search for him near Empire Grade and the Quarry Road area on Tuesday.

Friends said Fossgreen has been known to hike in Pogonip and around UC Santa Cruz.

Friends who spoke to Fossgreen on Thursday said he appeared OK. He did not say anything about harming himself.

"He's not necessarily at risk because he hadn't made statements of hurting himself," Skalland said.

Deputies also received a tip that Fossgreen might be headed to Canada. Deputies have coordinated with authorities at the Canadian border.

"He could be hitchhiking someplace," Skalland said.

Authorities posted fliers with Fossgreen's photo and description in Scotts Valley and at the Metro bus station and Greyhound bus station in downtown Santa Cruz.

Fossgreen is 5 feet 7 inches and weighs about 135 pounds. He has short cropped brown hair, a goatee and hazel eyes. He graduated from Scotts Valley High School.

Fossgreen's family and friends said they were concerned that he might freeze in the forest at night.

"We would greatly appreciate anything that would help us connect with him," said Alex's father, Don Fossgreen.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office asks anyone with information to call dispatch at 831-471-1121 or the anonymous tipline at 831-454-5995.